Automated hemp trimming system and method

Abstract

An industrial hemp trimming apparatus and system which features rotating drums configured to actuate angularly to facilitate the fine tuning of precise flower trim setting is described. At least one motor disposed in communication with a control station and drive shaft via at least one drive chain facilitates rotation of the drum(s) against a cutting surface. The control station, managed by an Arduino, enables manipulation of spin speed, spin duration, and articulation of the drums to fine-tune the trimming of the hemp flower in accordance with strain-specific characteristics. Each drum is equipped with staggered, evenly spaced cutouts configured to line up with similarly arranged cutouts of the stationary cutting surface, by which flower is trimmed as the drum(s) rotate.

I claim: 
     
         1 . A hemp flower trimming system comprising:
 a frame;   at least one drum, said at least one drum supported by said frame;   at least one motor;   a power source, said power source in communication with said at least one motor;   a control station, said control station disposed in communication with said power source and said at least one motor;   a drive shaft, said drive shaft disposed in communication with said at least one motor;   at least one drive chain, said at least one drive chain disposed in communication within said drive shaft;   wherein said drive shaft is supported by said frame;   two pillow block bearings, said two pillow block bearings disposed in communication with said drive shaft and said frame;   cutting surfaces, said cutting surfaces disposed adjacent to and in communication with an exterior of said at least one drum; and   slots, said slots present in a staggered and patterned placement around said at least one drum, permeating through to said exterior of said at least one drum.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 J-hooks, said J-hooks supporting said cutting surface against said exterior of said at least one drum, maintaining tension against said exterior of said at least one drum; and   wherein said J-hooks are disposed in communication with said frame.   
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 at least one actuator, said at least one actuator disposed in communication with a hydraulic shaft;   wherein said at least one actuator facilitates actuation of said drive shaft and said at least one drum such that said at least one drum may be rotated about a horizontal plane or a diagonal plane;   
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 3 , wherein said at least one actuator facilitates a range of actuation angles between zero and 90 degrees; and
 wherein said at least one actuator is dispose din communication with said power source and said control station.   
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 doors, said doors disposed on said at least one drum; and   wherein said doors are magnetically affixed to said at least one drum.   
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 5 , wherein said doors are equipped with two sections: a first section covering ⅓ of a diameter of said at least one drum, and a second covering ⅔ of said diameter of said at least one drum. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 5 , wherein said doors are composed of at least one of the following: 304 stainless steel, aluminum, and clear plexiglass. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 4 , wherein said control station is configured to control said at least one articulator and speed of rotation of said at least one motor, affecting the speed of rotation and disposition of said at least one drum. 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said motor is a 2 HP motor. 
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said motor is configured to provide a minimum of 500 in/lb of torque to each of said at least one drum. 
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a conveyor belt, said conveyor belt disposed beneath said at least one drum; and   wherein said conveyor belt is configured to convey the hemp flower to a revolving sorting trammel.   
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein said revolving sorting trammel isolates hemp flower via differently sized stations according to sizes as trimmed by said cutting surface acting against said slots of said at least one drum, the sizes selected from the following group: ½ inch sized flower isolated via a first station, 1 inch sized flower isolated via a second station, and 1.5 inch flower isolated via a third station. 
     
     
         13 . The apparatus of  claim 12 , further comprising:
 a funnel said funnel disposed beneath said sorting trammel; and   wherein said funnel is configured to deposit sorted hemp flower into at least three receptacles, said at least three receptacles selected from the following group: a first receptacle configured to catch ½ inch sized flower, a second receptacle configured to catch 1 inch sized flower, and a third receptacle configured to catch 1.5 inch sized flower.   
     
     
         14 . The apparatus of  claim 4 , further comprising:
 doors, said doors disposed on said at least one drum; and   wherein said doors are magnetically affixed to said at least one drum.   
     
     
         15 . The apparatus of  claim 14 , further comprising:
 a conveyor belt, said conveyor belt disposed beneath said at least one drum; and   wherein said conveyor belt is configured to convey the hemp flower to a revolving sorting trammel.   
     
     
         16 . The apparatus of  claim 15 , wherein said revolving sorting trammel isolates hemp flower via differently sized stations according to sizes as trimmed by said cutting surface acting against said slots of said at least one drum, the sizes selected from the following group: ½ inch sized flower isolated via a first station, 1 inch sized flower isolated via a second station, and 1.5 inch flower isolated via a third station. 
     
     
         17 . The apparatus of  claim 16 , further comprising:
 a funnel said funnel disposed beneath said sorting trammel; and   wherein said funnel is configured to deposit sorted hemp flower into at least three receptacles, said at least three receptacles selected from the following group: a first receptacle configured to catch ½ inch sized flower, a second receptacle configured to catch 1 inch sized flower, and a third receptacle configured to catch 1.5 inch sized flower.   
     
     
         18 . The apparatus of  claim 17 , further comprising:
 a trammel motor, said trammel motor disposed in communication with said revolving sorting trammel and said power source, facilitating rotation of said revolving sorting trammel.